Trajectory optimized NUFFT: Faster non‐Cartesian MRI reconstruction through prior knowledge and parallel architectures

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Abstract
Purpose: The non‐uniform fast Fourier transform (NUFFT) involves interpolation of non‐uniformly sampled Fourier data onto a Cartesian grid, an interpolation that is slowed by complex, non‐local data access patterns. A faster NUFFT would increase the clinical relevance of the plethora of advanced non‐Cartesian acquisition methods. Methods: Here we customize the NUFFT procedure for a radial trajectory and GPU architecture to eliminate the bottlenecks encountered when allowing for arbitrary trajectories and hardware. We call the result TRON, for TR ajectory O ptimized N UFFT. We benchmark the speed and accuracy TRON on a Shepp‐Logan phantom and on whole‐body continuous golden‐angle radial MRI. Results: TRON was 6–30× faster than the closest competitor, depending on test data set, and was the most accurate code tested. Conclusions: Specialization of the NUFFT algorithm for a particular trajectory yielded significant speed gains. TRON can be easily extended to other trajectories, such as spiral and PROPELLER. TRON can be downloaded at http://github.com/davidssmith/TRON .
Funding Information
  • National Cancer Institute (K25 CA176219)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R21 DK096282)
  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1 TR000445)

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